Why do gig platforms struggle to turn a profit?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses.

In Episode 9, Ben and Marini explain the apparent paradox of the big digital platforms being powerful globally but struggling to be profitable. They find that the core problem is that, despite being hailed as 'innovative', these platforms have not transformed the economic fundamentals of the industry sectors they operate within, which have traditionally been low-margin.

Previous episodes:

Ep 1: ⁠⁠⁠What is the gig economy?⁠⁠⁠

Ep 2: ⁠⁠⁠Why are gig workers paid-per-task?⁠⁠⁠

Ep 3: ⁠⁠⁠What is the algorithm?⁠⁠⁠

Ep 4: ⁠⁠⁠Are gig workers their ‘own boss’?⁠⁠⁠

Ep 5: ⁠⁠Is gig work really ‘flexible’?⁠⁠

Ep 6: ⁠Is the gig economy really a “godsend” for women?⁠

Ep 7: ⁠Is the gig economy good for migrants & ethnic minorities?⁠

Ep 8: What makes platforms powerful?

Future episodes:

Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union?

Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data?

You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project.

Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig.

If you have any feedback on the Rebel’s Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.